Anzac Day marked across Queenstown Lakes
Hundreds of people paraded through Arrowtown autumn sunshine this morning for the Anzac Day commemorations, before laying wreaths and poppies at the Cenotaph as a lone piper played atop a nearby hill.
Queenstown and Southern Lakes Highland Pipe Band led the way from Arrowtown's Buckingham Street up to the Cenotaph on Soldiers Hill, off Durham Street, shortly after 10.30am.
They were followed by current and former New Zealand and Australian servicemen and women, their families, RSA members, dignitaries, firefighters, schoolchildren and locals.
In Queenstown, hundreds more gathered in the cold for the dawn service at the Memorial Gates, at 6.30am, led by Queenstown RSA president Phil Wilson, followed by a parade to the Queenstown Memorial Centre. Wānaka also held a dawn service.
It's now 110 years since New Zealand and Australian soldiers landed at Gallipoli in Türkiye on 25 April, 1915, and today Anzac Day services have been held across the country to remember the service and sacrifice of all personnel who've served, and that of their families.
More than 30,000 New Zealand military personnel have been killed in wars and conflicts since 1915.
In Arrowtown, the service was led by Arrowtown RSA President Rosemary Chalmers, with guest speaker Squadron Leader Gregor McKenzie
Chalmers said the year was significant. "It marks 110 years since the first New Zealand troops set off to war in 1915, 110 years since young men, many just boys, left our shores, not knowing that they would return. Many of them didn't, but their names remain, their stories remain, and this morning we will remember."
She also highlighted the ongoing contribution of Arrowtown service personnel, such as Corporal Megan Hughes, Midshipman Jessica MacDonald and Private Lola Maglaras, who were present at the service.
Sqn Ldr McKenzie reflected on the Gallipoli landings and campaign and the continuing contribution of ANZAC service personnel in peacekeeping missions around the world.
"From the outset, the landings evoked national pride. There may have been no military victory, but there was a victory of spirit as New Zealand soldiers showed tremendous courage and sacrifice in the face of adversity. This single event is sometimes referred to as The Birth of a Nation; New Zealand, standing on its own two feet in the world.
"Although Anzac Day remains closely linked to its Gallipoli origins, it has, over time come to commemorate and embrace New Zealanders involvement in other conflicts, World War Two, Korean War, the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and subsequent peacekeeping operations throughout the world."
A display board commemorating the 18 WWI soldiers from Arrowtown who made the ultimate sacrifice was recently commissioned by Arrowtown RSA and now sits next to the Cenotaph, telling their stories. They all also been memorialised with local landmark and road names, such as Wilcox green and Jopp Street.
The Arrowtown service also included a rendition of The Last Post, prayers, a speech by Wakatipu High School pupil Joseph Hurndell and the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia.
Hurndell said as a child he'd been unable to properly grasp the significance of Anzac Day, the determination and bravery of the soldiers, knowing every day their names could end up engraved in stone.
"Years later, I now realise those names on the Memorial are not just labels, they're real people, people with dreams left unfulfilled, people with hopes and ambitions never realised, and people who's potential was never fully reached.
"Each name up there is a life that was cut short, and with it the promise of could have been. Families lost fathers, sons, and friends, all so that future generations could live safely."
They shall not grow old, as those who are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest we Forget.
For the Fallen
Laurence Binyon
